Cabot Club dinner marked Memorial's 80th

Honorary Memorial graduate Dr. Donna Butt (left), a well-known actor and playwright, was one of the honourees at this year’s Cabot Club dinner. Here, she speaks with Memorial President Dr. Axel Meisen.

Amid a colourfully decorated hotel ballroom, some 240 people gathered on Friday, Feb. 25, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Memorial University's founding. Memorial University was the focus of the Cabot Club Gala, an annual fundraising event held at the Fairmont Hotel in St. John's. The theme of the dinner was Celebrating Memories of Memorial and the extensive black tie event, complete with five-course meal and multimedia presentation, honoured the achievements of Memorial's students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“Memorial University of Newfoundland has played a significant role in all aspects of our province,” said Armand Agabab, general manager of The Fairmont Newfoundland. “We are honoured to recognize its accomplishments and contributions by celebrating some of Memorial's prominent alumni and supporters.”

“For the past 16 years, the community has shown up in strong numbers to delight in this evening of pageantry, and at the same time, contribute to the support of the Children's Wish Foundation, Newfoundland Chapter,” Mr. Agabab said. Over $10,800 was raised by the gala event which included an impressive array of entertainment and a multimedia presentation.

Honourees of the dinner, brought on the stage in a convocation-like march, included honorary graduates Dr. Donna Butt, actor and playwright; Dr. Christopher Pratt, painter and printmaker; Dr. William Rompkey, deputy leader of the government in the senate; and Dr. Vic Young; as well as Memorial alumni Dr. Georgina Hedges, vice-chair, Board of Regents; Dr. Linda Inkpen, physician; and Frank Fagan, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Aliant; and business leaders Gordon Carrick, vice-president, East Coast, Petro-Canada; and Phil Du Toit, managing director, Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited.

Memorial alumnus and Telegram publisher Miller Ayre emceed the event, and past-president of the Cabot Club Françoise Enguehard, executive director of the 2004 society, handed over the reins to incoming president Dr. Axel Meisen, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University.

Incoming Cabot Club president, Dr. Meisen, praised Ms. Enguehard‘s work with the Societe 2004 over the last year and noted that “her legacy will be enhanced recognition throughout the province and throughout Atlantic Canada of the important role the francophone population plays in our future.”

He went on to thank the assembled guests and cited recent monetary gains by the university and province, the Atlantic Innovation Fund, the Atlantic Accord agreement, he stressed that “The money is there, we have the people - now let's use our ingenuity and build that great university and society that Joey Smallwood and all of us dreamt about.”